Probable cause
A collision with a deer during the landing roll, which resulted in a runway excursion.
NTSB analysis
The pilot reported that, during a day, visual meteorological conditions flight, just after touchdown, a deer jumped out onto the runway. He added that he made a "hard left turn" into soft grass next to the runway, and as the airplane was almost stopped, the nosewheel collapsed.
The engine mounts and firewall sustained substantial damage.
The pilot reported that there were no preaccident mechanical malfunctions or failures with the airplane that would have precluded normal operation.
The Federal Aviation Administration Chart Supplement for the airport stated, in part: "Deer on and…[in the vicinity of] airport."
Text from the NTSB. Open the NTSB docket for GAA17CA446 for the full record.
Event
- Date
- Jul 16, 2017
- Type
- Accident
- Place
- Franklin, Virginia
- Nearest airport
- Franklin Muni-John Beverly Ros (FKN)
- Highest injury
- None
- Weather
- Visual (VMC)
- Light
- Day
Piper PA46
- N-number
- N41827
- Category
- Airplane
- Year built
- 2000
- Damage
- Substantial
- Operating rule
- Part 91 (general aviation)
- Purpose of flight
- Personal
From the NTSB aviation accident database: N-registered aircraft, events since 2008, data through Oct 28, 2026. The file is published monthly, so the latest weeks are incomplete and recent records can change. The official source is the NTSB aviation investigation search. CheckAero is independent and not affiliated with the NTSB.